Groups, individuals with outstanding achievements in people-to-people diplomacy honored.
The Certificate of Merit was presented to VUFO in a year-end conference to review people-to-people diplomacy activities in 2018 and deploying the tasks for 2019. The event was held on January 16 in Hanoi.
2019 marks the fourth year of implementing the Resolution of the 12th Party Congress and the socio-economic development plan for period 2016-2020.
In the same year, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) officially takes effect. Meanwhile, this year, Vietnam is preparing for the upcoming role as ASEAN Chairman 2020. 2019 also marks the 40th anniversary of the two resistant wars to protect the Southwestern and the Northern border of the nation.
Base on these significant event, five key tasks in people-to-people diplomacy have been assigned.
First of all, strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations with other countries’ people, in order to maintain peace and stability - favorable conditions for national development and protection.
Secondly, taking initiative in participating in and improve the effectiveness of international integration, taking advantage of favorable resources and conditions to boost socio-economic development and lift up Vietnam's position in international arena, contributing to the progression of people in the region and the world.
Thirdly, proactively protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty, maintaining peace, social, political stability and security of the nation.
Fourthly, attaching importance to propaganda on foreign affairs and overseas Vietnamese affairs.
Fifthly, consolidating the guidance, management and inspection of people-to-people diplomacy activities.
According to Nguyen Tuan Phong, Deputy Head of the Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, in the context of rapid change and complication in the world and Vietnam, the Fatherland Front, unions, organizations and the people have striven to closely follow the policies, guidelines and vision of the Party and the State, especially the Resolution of the 12th Congress and Directive 04-CT / TW of the Party’s Secretariat on continuing to innovate and improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation.
Vast amount of work in people-to-people diplomacy have been completed, generating better results. The solidarity, friendship and cooperation with neighbor countries’ people are continued to be fostered; international friends and partners network is expanded.
People-to-people diplomacy has been playing a significant role in international cooperation, uniting and gathering the support of overseas community; strengthening the broadcast of information on foreign affairs, practically contributing to the country’s achievements in foreign affairs in 2018.
Talking about people-to-people diplomacy, President of VUFO, Nguyen Phuong Nga said: The focus of VUFO in the coming time will include continuing to increase the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation.
In particular, to optimize the strength of people-to-people diplomacy, innovation and flexibility in mindset and working approach are indispensible, in order to expand the scope of activities and cooperation. Friends network which are connected by practical benefits needs to be expanded.
Furthermore, people-to-people diplomacy should mobilize the support and relevant resources including capital, technology and knowledge for the country, especially when development aid from external sources tends to be reduced. At the same time, it is necessary to expand and enhance the participation of representatives of social organizations in multilateral mechanisms and forums regarding people-to-people diplomacy, to gain more supports from the world.
VUFO will also strengthen the coordination between foreign affairs agencies of the State, the Party and people-to-people diplomacy in foreign relations activities implementation and research, taking account of forecast activities, developing strategies and long-term plans for multilateral people-to-people diplomacy.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh speaks at the conference.
Speaking at the conference, Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs quoted the statement recently made by General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong:
“In 2018 foreign affairs was the bright spot of the country, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, raising the status of our country, while adhering to the foreign policy of the Party and the State. Various activities were held, contributing to the achievements of the country’s foreign affairs, deepening the bilateral relations with neighboring countries including Laos, Cambodia and China, taking advantage of external resources to serve socio-economic development and effectively protecting sovereignty as well as attracting overseas Vietnamese people’s attention for homeland.
At the Conference, groups and individuals including many VUFO groups and individuals are honored for oustanding achievement in peope-to- people diplomacy with Certificate of Merits.
Hoang Binh Quan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Committee's Commission for External Relations delivers closing speech.
